MARONDERA- Primus Energy director Dunmore Mutyambizi recently promised to play his part towards the renovation of recreational facilities in Marondera so that youth cannot remain idle.
He made the pledge at the Primus Energy basketball tournament that was held at the Dombotombo basketball courts where five teams from Marondera and Murehwa competed.
Several recreational facilities in the provincial capital of Mashonaland East are lying idle as council has been failing to maintain them.
Mutyambizi said: “We must make sure that the young people have something to do all the time to keep them occupied. If they don’t have anything to do, that is when you see them abusing drugs and other substances while others engage in criminal activities that end up putting them on a cross path with the law.
“There are several recreational facilities that have not been utilised and I will engage the responsible authorities to see how best we can chip in and help to reinvigorate these facilities.”
He also emphasised the importance of hosting such tournaments as they bring young people together through sport.
Clubs that competed at the Primus Energy basketball tournament are Detroit, Chicago, Raptors, Murewa Blazers and Nhowe. All the participating teams walked away with basketballs and kits.
Detroit of Marondera scooped the first prize and were awarded a trophy and a cash prize of R3 000 while Murehwa Blazers came second which earned them a trophy and R2 000 cash.
Marondera Chicago ended the tournament on third position and for their efforts, they were awarded R1 800 while the other participating teams – Blazing Nhohwe and Marondera Raptors received cash prices of R1 700 and R1 600 respectively.
Supporting teams from other disciplines did not go home empty handed as they received donations of tennis rackets and volleyball balls.
Murewa Blazers basketball team manager Cleopatra Masona was grateful for Mutyambizi’s benevolence and passion towards the development of sport.
“This tournament has motivated many youths who took the opportunity to showcase their basketball talent. It is my hope that more stakeholders will emulate Mutyambizi’s gesture.
